Australia's Robbie McEwen took his second Tour stage in Saint Quentin with a powerful surge on the final section of the rising finish.
McEwen accelerated out of the final corner and opened a five metre gap on his rivals. Tom Boonen tried to respond but did not have the speed and was overtaken by Spain's Isaac Galvez (Caisse d'Epargne), Oscar Freire (Rabobank). Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) finished fourth in the sprint but was relegated to 148th place, at the back of the bunch, for dangerous riding.
David Millar (Saunier Duval) again finished in the bunch and is now 15th overall at 21 seconds. He has a chance of taking the yellow jersey in Saturday's 52km time trial but will have to beat George Hincapie, Paolo Savoldelli, Floyd Landis and Dave Zabriskie.
It was McEwen's tenth Tour stage win of his career and his ninth win of 2006. It also give him the green points jersey.
"It's unreal. We had a plan but they don't always work but this one went to the letter," McEwen said.
"We rode on front from 100km out. I knew we'd miss Rodriguez but we used Gert Steegmans instead. He went at 400 metres to go and I went at 200 metres, at the little bend. I died a thousand deaths before the line but I made it. This win is for Freddy. He crashed pretty bad yesterday and unfortunately is out of the Tour."
"In Belgium they say there's no two without three. Tomorrow is another stage and every time I get on the bike I ride to win so hopefully I can win again."
2 Isaac Galvez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears
4 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 0.07
10 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne 0.17
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